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September 2023 by Aliyah Snowden
The idea is nice. The experience isn't. Highly do not recommend. It's over crowded and doesn't smell the best. I needed it for the study space. If you're just going in and out to grab a book it's fine. Staying for an extended time to get work done is difficult to stay focused.
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July 2023 by Michael Ong
Lovely atrium and lots of nooks to enjoy.
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July 2023 by Jason L.
It's free. Easy to get a card online. Huge amount of online resources including ebooks and audiobooks. You can reserve books and find them waiting for you upon your visit to the library. The staff here is helpful and resourceful. There's even free 30 minute parking underground with EV charging. Does it get better?
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July 2023 by David Valdez
Great place to grab your peace of mind and work with out noise or write country music too or I have anyway.
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June 2023 by Hudson Hopper
I really wanted to like this library. But, it just didn’t work. Their staff is nice and the building is quite large and fairly well maintained. Sadly, they’ve removed most of the desks and put them all in similar areas. They don’t have enough seating for everybody and so I have to limit everyone to an hour or so. The library doesn’t feel particularly safe, I had a man shout obscenities at me, so I just left. Overall not ideal for those who try to get work done at libraries. I’m sure the smaller local branches are better for working out of.
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May 2023 by Leigh Goodwin, MBA, MAcc
I want to commend the Santa Monica Main Library Bookstore. It is open now both Mondays & Thursdays. They have big selection of DVD movies and books at more than reasonable prices. I didn't know if I should leave a review or not to give away the secret goodies but if it will help a nonprofit achieve their sales goals, I am willing to help spread the word.
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May 2023 by Christopher Magnus
A very clean and respectable library with public computers available for none library visitors. As an added bonus, there are squirrels that live in the trees outside of the library.
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March 2023 by A De La Rosa
Santa Monica PUBLIC libraries are public yet make them inaccessible to the average family or citizens with children or a life. Only open Monday-Thursday starting at 11am, it makes it impossible for people with a Monday through Friday job especially with children, able to enjoy this public paid service. My kid goes to school Monday through Friday like most and unfortunately they are closed over fridays & the entire weekend the only time school children can actually get to the facility leisurely with family. Very disappointing.
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March 2023 by djklsjf jflkdsjfsd
Santa Monica in general is white people hell. The city itself clearly doesn't want you in it if you make less than a million annual and we all know that's usually white people. So it's no surprise to see that the "public library" is closed during the days that people who work for a living can't use it. I'm absolutely not shocked to see there's no service for the working class in the hellscape that is Santa Monica.
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March 2023 by Airic
I was on a 850 mile bike ride up to San Francisco. My phone had been stolen and I needed to borrow a phone . They looked at me like I was the devil and refused to let me use the phone, despite being a public library. No explanation, nothing.
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March 2023 by Irene B.
This library is a great spot to spend a few hours. The staff is really helpful and knowledgeable, always happy to assist with choosing books or answering any queries. There are plenty of comfy reading areas, and the lighting is ideal for reading or studying. The used bookstore is an added bonus, with great prices and a wide selection of titles. There is always so much to choose from. The only drawback is that it can be a little noisy at times, but that is to be expected in a busy public library. I would highly recommend the Santa Monica Public Library Main Branch to anyone looking for a comfortable, welcoming, and resourceful space to read and learn.
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February 2023 by Sarah C
How could the library NOT be open on the weekends? It's such a shame. Also, the homeless people at the library makes it feel so unsafe and uncomfortable to enjoy the visit. I understand that it's a PUBLIC space but they're clearly not the one paying the taxes that is paying for this resource. They need to go find another place for shelter because they make the general public feel unsafe and it's unsanitary.
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February 2023 by Boy & King
Pathetic embarrassment sad excuse of a public library that is useless btw and helping no one, clearly just holding the real estate for future sale
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January 2023 by Anna Lisa
very nice library nice staff they also gotten fid of late fines . the SMPL has not received enough money to have the hours as before to be open everyday. they have had major budget cuts due to covid. the Pico branch at Virginia park is open Tuesday - Saturday if looking for a library with more days open in Santa Monica.
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December 2022 by David Chou
What’s the point of this library. As a Santa Monica resident my taxes go to what exactly? A library that is never open when I am off work and able to take my elementary aged kids? A library that is always filled with homeless when we can make it?I remember loving going to the library on Saturdays when I was 8 and checking out dozens of books.With only 4 weekdays open, it is a literal impossibility for me to make that happen for my children given normal work schedules. And that’s a dang shame.
